Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. TUESDAY, MARCH 11th., 1930. DOMINION INDUSTRIES

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 March 1930, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. TUESDAY, MARCH 11th., 1930. DOMINION INDUSTRIES

‘‘J’HE record of the United Party since it came into office has not been so brilliant that it can afford to lose any of its opportunities for making good. With what will be an important, and perhaps a critical session, but three months ahead. Sir Joseph Ward and his colleagues should take note of every straw that shows the way the wind is blowing. The pre-election announcements regarding that £70,000,000 loan, and the later confident declaration to the effect that there would be “no unemployed in five weeks,” are still rankling in the memory of many people. The unemployed are still with us, and the recent report of the Committee set up to deal with the problem was received with anything but general acclamation. A system of “doles” to provide for the out-of-works, with most of the money io come from the pockets of the workers, is not ideal, and it is diffi-1

unit to believe that no better course is open. The latest disappointment comes in the form of an announcement by the Hon. J. B. Donald (Minister I of Industries and Commerce) , to I 1 the effect that the proposed enquiry into manufacturing industries by the Parliamentary Committee set up last session, may be abandoned. The reason given is the absence of the Hon. J. G. Cobbe in Samoa, and the resignation of Mr. 11. R. Jenkins, M.P., from the committee, with the result that the Government will have no representation. The remaining i two members are Messrs D. G. Sul- < livan and A. Harris, both Opposi- . tion representatives- If the enquiry ’ is allowed to lapse, the Govern- ’ raent’s decision will be a bitter pill -

for the manufacturers in the Dominion to swallow, and may lead to unpleasant consequences for the Government, the inevitable result being a loss of faith in the sincerity of Ministerial promises. The President of the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation (Mr. F. Campbell) summed up the position when he stated that it is almost imperative that some enquiry should be made at once.

There seems to be no valid reason why this should not be done. So far as Mr. Cobbe is concerned, it was announced yesterday that he had left Samoa, and was expected to reach Auckland on Monday next. The resignation of Mr. Jenkins, therefore, appears to be the only stumbling block. It may be pointed out that the committee was appointed by the House of Representatives, and that only the House can make any alteration in personnel. Even in that case, there should be nothing to prevent the Government appointing a similar committee, including three of the original members, with a substitute for Mr. Jenkins. Such a committee, not being appointed by the House, would not have power to compel the giving of evidence, but no compulsion would be necessary in this case, the manufacturers being only too willing to do their part. This is shown by the statement of the Federation Pre sident, who suggests, as another alternative, that advantage be taken of the Board of Trade Act, and a committee of business men be set up to conduct an enquiry and submit their findings to the Government. 11 What the manufacturer s. want,” said Mr. Campbell, “is an enquiry by competent persons, no matter whether in or out of Parliament, feeling sure that it is only by a complete and economic survey of industries can their real value to the Dominion be ascertained.

If anything is to be achieved before the session opens, the enquiry cannot be delayed much longer, if the Government has the will to act, it will find a way. No excuses will be considered adequate by manufacturers, and the general public will doubtless agree with them. The promotion of the existing manufacturing industries of the Dominion, and the initiation of new industries, is imperative. The carrying out of such a policy would do something towards the alleviation of the unemployment trouble, and anything tending to that desirable object should not be neglected. Meanwhile, the people should do their part, and give preference to New Zealand-made goods.